• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.357-364
• /
• 2008

Mylabris is the dried body of the chinese blister beetle. The species used in medicine are Mylabris phalerata and M. cichorii. In recent studies, it has been found that Mylabris possesses antitumor properties, increases the number of leukocytes, and has irritant effects on the urinary organs. The crude extracts of Mylabris have been noted for their highly irritant action and other traditional uses of Mylabris include treatment of poor local blood circulation. The active constituent of Mylabris is cantharidin. The chemical is notable for its vesicant properties, but with severe side effects such as nephrotoxicity. This experiment examined the effect of extracts and fractions, obtained from Mylabris phalerata Pall. on hair growth activity of the C57BL/6N mice after topical application to skin. First, we examined the effect of an extracts, obtained from the alcohol extracts of dried Mylabris phalerata Pall. on hair growth activity of the C57BL/6N mice after topical application to skin. Second, we examined on hair growth activity of the cantharidin fraction of Mylabris phalerata Pall. compared to the control and 1% minoxidil groups. Third, we investigated the number of hair follicle and mast cells after topical application of extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall. to skin for 16 days. The results were as follows: Hair growth effect from the extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall.(0.312%) was observed in 80% of mice whose hair had been removed in 13 days. Hair growth effect from the extract of Mylabris phalerata Pall.(0.312 and 0.625%) and 1% minoxidil group was observed in 100% of mice whose hair had been clipped in 20 days. Hair growth effect from the cantharidin fraction(0.5%) and water fraction(0.5%) of Mylabris phalerata Pall. was observed in 100% of mice whose hair had been clipped in 24 days. The hair growth effect on the cantharidin fraction(0.125%) was observed to be strong compared with the minoxidil(3%) group, commercial hair growth agents, in mice whose hair had been clipped in 19 days. In the spontaneous alopecia mice model, the hair growth effect from the cantharidin fraction (0.125%) was observed to be strong as compared with the states before the 13 days experiment. These experiments suggest that extracts and fractions of Mylabris phalerata Pall. may stimulate the topical hair growth activity in low doses.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.778-790
• /
• 2008

This experiment investigated the effect of mixed extracts obtained from Mylabris phalerata Pall. and Drynariae Rhizoma on hair growth activity of the normal and spontaneous alopecia areata model of C57BL/6N mice for 16 days. First, we examined morphological regrowth of hair in normal and spontaneous alopecia model of C57BL/6N mice. Second, we examined immunoreactive density of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), c-kit and protein kinase $C-{\alpha}(PKC-{\alpha})$ in skin of normal C57BL/6N mice by immunohistochemical methods. Third, we investigated expression of $TGF-{\beta}$, prolactin and placenta lactogen after topical application of mixed extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall. and Drynariae Rhizoma to skin by RT-PCR. The results were as follows: Hair growth effect from middle and high concentration of mixed extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall. and Drynariae Rhizoma was observed in 80% of normal mice in whose hair had been clipped in 15th days. Hair growth effect of all concentrations of mixed extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall. and Drynariae Rhizoma was observed in 100% of spontaneous alopecia model of C57BL/6N mice in 15th days. Immunoreactive density of VEGF, c-kit and $PKC-{\alpha}$ in skin of all concentrations of mixed extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall. and Drynariae Rhizoma were strongly stained in epidermis, bulge, secondary hair germ cells and cutaneous trunci m. compare to control group in 10th day. In experimental III group, Immunoreactive density of VEGF, c-kit and $PKC-{\alpha}$ in skin were strongly stained in inner and outer root sheath of skin. The treatment of mixed extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall. and Drynariae Rhizoma increased the expression of $TGF-{\beta}$, placenta lactogen and prolactin in the skin of normal C57BL/6N mice compared to control group. These experiments suggest that mixed extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall. and Drynariae Rhizoma may stimulate the topical hair growth activity and it can be useful for treatment of alopecia areata.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.1116-1124
• /
• 2009

To determine whether topical application of trimix extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall., Arisaematis Rhizoma and Pinelliae Rhizoma Ternata lead to affects on the hair growth activity in C57BL/6N mice. To examine the hair growth activity of the extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall., Arisaematis Rhizoma and Pinelliae Rhizoma Ternata gross, microscopic, and immunohistochemical method were performed. In order to examine the mRNA expression of hair growth related substance, RT-PCR method was performed. Experimental group I on day 14, The most extensive hair growth activity was observed in whole skin area of all the mice whose hair had been clipped. Brdu immunoreactive cells of all the experimental groups were more heavily stained in epidermis, bulge, outer root sheath, inner root sheath, subcutaneous tissue, hair bulb and cutaneous trunci muscles than that of control group on day 12 of hair growing cycle in C57BL/6N mice. VEGF immunoreactive density of all the experimental groups was more heavily stained in epidermis, bulge and cutaneous trunci muscles than that of control group on day 12. FGF and c-kit immunoreactive cells of all the experimental groups were heavily stained in epidermis, outer root sheath, inner root sheath and cutaneous trunci muscles on day 12. PKC-$\alpha$ immunoreactive density of all the experimental groups was mildly stained in epidermis and cutaneous trunci muscles than that of control group on day 12. On day 12, the expression of bFGF (138%, 119%, 120%), VEGF (146%, 144%, 133%), IGF-1 (165%, 141%, 119%) and PLI (121%, 116%, 123&) in each experimental groups was more increased than that of control group. On day 16, The expression of IGF-1 (126%, 149%, 151%) in all the experimental group was more increased than that of control group (100%). The expression of bFGF (92%, 94%) and VEGF (101%, 97%), PL1 (102%, 109%) in all the experimental group was more decreased than that of experimental group I, II on day 12. But the expression of bFGF (109%) and VEGF (127%), and PL1 (105%) in each experimental group III was more increased than that of control group (100%). These experiments suggest that trimix extracts of Mylabris phalerata pall., Arisaematis Rhizoma and Pinelliae Rhizoma Ternata may stimulate the topical hair growth activity and its experimental group I can be useful for treatment of alopecia areata.